Jefferson County, NY Pioneers

JEFFERSON COUNTY, NEW YORK

PIONEER REUBEN EVANS FAMILY

1. 1. REUBEN EVANS was born 1794 in New Hampshire or Massachusetts. He is buried alongside members of the Evans family of Hinsdale, Cheshire, NH (a town on the NH/MA border) at Theresa's Kelsey Bridge cemetery.

Reuben's parents are unknown, and there are few clues to his origins. According to the New York State census of 1865 in Theresa, Reuben's son Hiram provided housing to an uncle named Charles Evans, age 77 or 79 (born 1786-1788), who was originally from New Hampshire. It is known that Jefferson county pioneer John Evans and his wife Rhoda Gibbs Putnam had a son named Charles born in 1785. Reuben also seems to have been a brother to Hunter Patriot SELAH EVANS: the 1875 state census in Theresa listed Selah as an uncle to Reuben's daughter Mary Evans Wood. It is notable that Reuben's two eldest daughters married men who, like Selah Evans, fought at the Battle of the Windmill in 1838.

Family naming patterns support the idea that Reuben was a son of John & Rhoda Evans. Reuben's daughter Rhoda Cordelia Evans may have been named after her paternal grandmother Rhoda, and his son Sampson Willard Evans may have been named for a brother, John and Rhoda's son Samson Evans.

Reuben Evans served in the War of 1812. He died 09 Oct 1874 in Theresa, Jefferson, NY.

He married about 1819
SALLY PHILLIPS, whose parents are not known. She was born Abt. 1799 in Massachusetts, and died in the autumn of 1881 in Theresa, Jefferson, NY. After her husband's death, Sally resided with her son-in-law John Wood. Reuben and Sally are buried at Kelsey Bridge cemetery in Theresa.

Sally's obituary appeared in the 12 Nov 1881 Oswego Morning Express: Mrs. Reuben Evans, 82, a lifelong resident of Theresa, Jefferson county, died recently. She had never been sick until a short time before her death, which was caused by old age and erysipelas.

Children: EVANS (first four born in Leray, most of the remainder in Theresa):

Hester married, before 1843 in Jefferson county, ORSON ROGERS, son of JAMES ROGERS and OLIVE. A shoemaker, he was born 15 Nov 1818 in Philadelphia, Jefferson, NY, and died 01 Jul 1886 in Blountsville, Henry, IN. Both Hester and Orson are buried at Blountsville cemetery.

Orson's obituary appeared in the 09 Jul 1886 edition of The New Castle Courier. A Hunter Patriot, he was wounded at the Battle of the Windmill in Nov 1838 and released without trial.

Children, ROGERS

14 i. RHODA CORDELIA ROGERS married JOHN W. WINE*

15 ii. OSCAR ROGERS married AMANDA WINE.

16 iii. WARREN ROGERS married MARTHA E. MOSIER

*WINE, Rhoda C. (Rogers) 03 Apr 1913 obituary

Rhoda C. Rogers, eldest daughter of Orson & Hester Rogers, was born in Theresa, New York, August 25, 1843. Departed this life April 3, 1913, aged 69 Years 7 Mo. 8 Days.

She moved with her parents to this country; settling near Hagerstown, Wayne Co. Ind. When at the age of 12 years.

She was united in marriage to John Wine, October the 14, 1869. To this union was born three children, Orison, Ollie & Hester, all of Modoc, Ind. She was a member of the M.E. Church of Modoc for a number of years, living a true devoted life she was a thought full mother a kind neighbor; and a true friend and to know her was to love her. During her sickness she was a patient sufferer, kind and considerate; to those who administered to her cares. She was the last of the three children of her father's family. Her two brothers preceding her some years ago.

Early in her sickness she said she was ready to be taken home, where there were no cares or trials.

And told her children not to grieve after her, because she was going home and hoped to meet them in a better world. Life to her meant much sorry and many cares, but she bore it with Christian fortitude, and we trust her in the hands of the all wise father and the son Jesus Christ, who knoweth our frame and remembereth that we are dust, and who died that whosoever, should believe might have Eternal life.

She leaves a husband, two sons and one daughter, 7 grandchildren. And a host of Relatives and friends to mourn our great loss, which is Heaven's gain.

3. ELIZABETH B. EVANS was born 26 May 1822 in Leray, Jefferson, NY, and according to family records, died in 1911. She may have remarried after her husband died in 1855, as there is no further record of her.

Elizabeth married AARON DRESSER III (known as Aaron Dresser, Jr.) on 29 Oct 1845 by the Rev. Elder L. S. Baker. The marriage occurred in Hermon, Saint Lawrence, NY. Aaron was a son of AARON DRESSER, founder of Pamelia Four Corners, and ELINOR STEWART. He was born 24 Apr 1816 in Pamelia Four Corners, Jefferson, NY, and died 19 May 1855 in Theresa, Jefferson, NY. He is buried at Old Theresa cemetery. He was a carpenter.

Aaron served as an Officer during the Patriot War. In Nov 1838 he was taken prisoner at the Battle of the Windmill, and sentenced to death. His sentence was commuted to transport to Van Diemen's Land (Australia). He was released in 1843, but his health never recovered, and he died at age 39.

Children, DRESSER

17 i. WASHINGTON VONSCHOULTZ DRESSER married SARAH ELLEN JARED

18 ii. ANGELINE DRESSER

19 iii. MARY E. DRESSER

4. MALINDA EVANS was born 28 May 1824 in Leray, Jefferson, NY, and died about 1907 in Ossining, Westchester, NY?.

Malinda married THOM ANDERSON 14 Sep 1865 in Alexandria Bay, Jefferson, NY, Reformed Church of the Thousand Islands. Thom was born Bet. 1809 - 1818 in New York, and died Bet. 1880 - 1900 in Ossining, Westchester, NY?.

Azuba married ANSON BOYER on 22 Feb 1854. Anson was born 18 Feb 1829 in Jefferson county, NY, and died 1913 in Frankford, Mower, MN.

Biographical Sketch of Anson Boyer, transcribed from History of Mower County, 1911:

Anson Boyer is one of the old settlers of Frankford. He was born in Jefferson county, New York, February 18, 1829, came west in 1854 and in 1857 located in Frankford village, purchased fifteen acres of land and combined carpenter work with farming.

He was married February 22, 1854, to Azuba Evans, of Jefferson county New York, and they have one son, Hiram. Mr. Boyer has been an honored man in the community and has done public service of various kinds.

Child, BOYER

21 i. HIRAM BOYER

8. HIRAM H. EVANS was born 13 May 1832 in Theresa, Jefferson, NY, and died 27 Jun 1923 in Union, Daviess, MO?.

He married MARY MATILDA DRAKE about 1864, daughter of ALFRED DRAKE and MALINDA CLARK. She was born 14 May 1842 in Theresa, Jefferson, NY, and died 21 Nov 1917 in Sheridan, Daviess, MO?. Hiram and Matilda are buried at Brown cemetery, Gallatin, Daviess, MO.

He married ADALINE PADDOCK 22 Feb 1866. She was born 11 Jan 1845 in Jefferson County, NY, and died 25 Jan 1901 in Winston, Colfax Township, Daviess, MO. Lewis and Adaline are buried at Winston cemetery.

The History of Daviess County, Missouri, by Birdsall & Dean. Kansas City: 1882. Pages 703-704:

LEWIS EVANS

Was born in the village of Watertown, Jefferson county, New York, December 2, 1834. His parents were natives of Massachusetts. Mr. Evans remained on the farm with his parents until he was twenty years of age, during which time he obtained his education. Going to Minnesota in 1854, he worked on a farm nearly two years, then returned to Jefferson county. At the expiration of three years more he came to Daviess County. First settled near Winston, afterward moved to Caldwell county, and from thence back to Daviess County, where he now resides, engaged in farming.

February 22, 1866, he was married to Miss Adaline Paddock, a resident of Jefferson county, New York. They have two children: Leona B., born August 1, 1867; and George, born February 17, 1870.

Children, EVANS

25 i. LEONA B. EVANS married HENRY MIZE WALKER

26 ii. GEORGE EVANS married MAUD MAY MCMILLAN or JOHNSON

12. CHAUNCEY DAVIS EVANS was born 28 Apr 1837 in Theresa, Jefferson, NY, and died 14 Aug 1912 in Hamilton, Olmsted, MN. He was a farmer.

13. RHODA CORDELIA EVANS was born 12 May 1841 in Theresa, Jefferson, NY, and died 1893 in Sandwich East, Essex, ON.

Rhoda married JOHN HOLDEN before 1861, son of JAMES HOLDEN and ELIZABETH BARR. He was born 19 Sep 1837 in Richmond, IN or Kentucky, and died 26 Sep 1920 in Sandwich South, Essex, ON.

Children, HOLDEN

34 i. WILLARD BARR HOLDEN married JANE (JENNIE) THRESHER

35 ii. ALICE A. HOLDEN married EDWARD JAMES O'NEIL

36 iii. GEORGE W. HOLDEN married LAURA MERRICK

37 iv. ARTHUR CHESTON HOLDEN married ELIZABETH (LIZZIE) MERRICK

38 v. MARY ELLEN HOLDEN married JULIUS C. AUSTIN**

39 vi. BERTHA MAY HOLDEN married ERNEST RIGGS

40 vii. LEWIS EVANS HOLDEN

**Child Roberta Cordelia Austin (Mrs. Paul O. Schmidt) of Detroit, MI was profiled in several Ernest Cook articles in the Watertown Daily Times along with her cousins Elsie Schreiber/ Scheibner & Clarice Morrow (daughters of George W. Holden) and Elsie's daughter Grace when they returned to Jefferson county during the mid-1940s to research the history of the Evans family.

Mary married Civil War veteran JOHN H. WOOD before 1870. John was born Bet. 13 - 19 Sep 1844 in Canada, and died 28 Dec 1924 in Theresa, Jefferson, NY. Mary and John lived at the Reuben Evans homestead at Kelsey Bridge, afterwards purchased by Frank and Eleanora Steacy, and were buried at the Kelsey Bridge cemetery, Theresa, Jefferson, NY.

Child, WOOD

41 i. WOOD d.y.

Watertown Daily Times, 08 Oct 1912

MRS. JOHN WOOD

Theresa, Oct. 8.---After an illness of only two days, the death of Mrs. John Wood occurred at noon Monday at her home at Kelsey Bridge. The news came as a shock and surprise to the people of this section, as only a very few knew of her illness.

Mrs. Wood was born about 68 years ago on the farm upon which she resided all her life and where she died. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Evans, early settlers in that section. She was one of 12 children, there being seven girls and five boys. Following the Civil war she was married to John Wood of this place, who served his country during that fierce conflict of the '60's and they at once took up residence on the Evans farm. Here they have lived in a most happy and contented manner all these years. One child was born to them, but it died in infancy.

Some two or three months ago Mr. Wood was taken seriously ill with a diseased arm and for a time his life was despaired of. He has just been able, during the past few days to be about the place. Last Wednesday they entertained former neighbors from New York city and both Mr. and Mrs. Wood were happy over the fact that Mr. Wood's recovery was so nearly completed and they could now both enjoy a few more years of comfort together. Friday Mrs. Wood was taken ill and rapidly grew worse, until this morning when death resulted.

Besides her husband, Mrs. Wood is survived by one brother, Hiram, of Missouri. The funeral arrangements have not been fully completed, as the family are awaiting news from the brother in the west. If he can come [fast?] at this time the services will be held so that he can reach here in time to attend.

Watertown Daily Times, 09 Oct 1912:

Funeral of Mrs. John Wood

Theresa, Oct. 19.---The funeral services of Mrs. John Wood, who died at her home at Kelsey Bridge Monday noon, are now completed. The services will be held from her late home on Thursday at 2, Rev. W. J. Hancock of the Methodist church will officiate. Burial will be made at the Kelsey Bridge cemetery. Besides the brother who survives her, as noted in The Times of Tuesday evening, there is also one sister, who resides in the west.

Watertown Daily Times, 11 Oct 1912

Funeral of Mrs. John Wood

Theresa, Oct. 11.---There was an unusually large number attending the funeral services of Mrs. John Wood, held Tuesday afternoon from her late home at Kelsey Bridge. Relatives and friends from Watertown, Alexandria Bay, Carthage and other towns were present. Rev. W. H. Hancock officiated and the bearers were Edward Sprague, George Hunt, F. Zanker and Charles D. Wilson, all neighbors of Mr. and Mrs. Wood. Burial was made at the Kelsey Bridge cemetery.